Tension in Kwara over Invasion of 16 Villages by Benin Republic
Hammed Shittu
Palpable tension has enveloped the border town of Okuta in Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State over the alleged invasion of 16 villages by Benin Republic.
Already, the authorities of the neighbouring country have gone ahead to construct as gerdarmes offices (police stations) in the affected Nigerian communities and also hoisted the country’s flag in the affected Nigeria villages.
The development according to THISDAY investigations, has disregarded the boundary delinieation of 1914 between Britain and France which the two countries had respected.
The affected Nigerian villages invaded by the Benin Republic according to THISDAY checks, included Ogomne, Bwin, Gandasunon, Kpuru and Woru Wuren Kparu.
Others are Ajuba,1, Ajuba 2, Saka Yeruman Kparu, Monta, Dotin Kparu, Halidun Kparu, Yakubun Kparu, Sonsi, Gunosani, Alhaji Kparu, Yodo Mankparu and Simen Kparu.
It was learnt the development had also led the Okuta Emirate Council to order the people of Yakparu axis to dismantle of the Beninoire flag hoisted in the Nigerian villages and the flag is currently in the custody of the emirate council.
During the administration of General Ibrahim Babangida, the gerdarmes of Benin Republic had attempted their encroachment move, claiming ownership of Ogomue, a village under Boriya village area of Okuta district in Baruten Local Government Area of the state.
That move according to THISDAY investigation, led the then military government of Kwara State under Lt. Col. Ahmed Abdullahi along with then Commander of 22 Armoured Brigade, Ilorin, Col. Ojokojo to visit the area.
The visit during the period under review, according to sources, prompted the hoisting of the Nigerian flag at Ogomue with the subsequent construction of a primary school, a dispensary and immigration post by the Nigerian authorities to give the villagers a sense of belonging.
Since then, THISDAY, gathered the Gerdarmes had fled the area until recently when they sent Nigerian government workers in the area parking before establishing their presence through the illegal removal of the Nigerian flag and hoisting of Benin flag there as well as construction of Gerdarmes office there.
When contacted, the Emir of Okuta, Alhaji Idris Serio Abubakar, who confirmed the development, appealed to the Kwara State and federal governments to come to the aid of the people of Okuta villages.
He said Nigerian teachers, dispensary workers and immigration officers in Ogomue had been sent parking from the Nigerian villages by the Benin Republic officials.
He therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to rise up to the ugly situation before the Benin Republic authorities invade more Nigeria communities in local government area.